Anyone use a Mag Drive "in-line"?

Their website says you can, and I'd love to eliminate the heat. I'm just wondering about leak possiblities.

 

I haven't, but as long as you plumb it correctly; and said pump is listed and identified for such use (especially by the manufacturer), there should be no risk.

Be sure to utilize unions so the pump is accessible when it comes time for maintenance.

I took Otty's lead, went inline, and won't go submersible again. There's not a single reason to introduce extra heat to a system. Now I know there are a lot of folks out there who use submersibles, and there's nothing wrong with that, but where I am with number of pumps and nearly 700W of lights above a 90G; I can't afford the heat.

 

I do, I have a mag3 in-line on my calc reactor for it's recirc pump, went through about 4 of them before I got one that didn't leak or burn up within 24 hours

 

I ran a mag5 externally and it leaked pretty bad. Some silicone along the seal stopped it but i wouldn't recommend it.

 

I agree with MaMoL and Iraf. I ran a 9.5 external and it leaked.

 

All my pumps are Magdrives, but all are "in-sump" application, all but one. I have a 300g poly-tank that I use to store my WC water with a Magdrive-18 and it also leaks, BUT I think it leaks b/c one of the bottom screws is striped and is not completing the seal correctly. The manufacturer states that they can be installed externally and internally, but I have heard that when the pump is installed externally, they dont last as long. The internal application helps the pump to run cooler, which makes all the sense in the world. I wonder for all those who have had leaky Magdrives if they're pumps where new or used. If they where used, I would have recommended to replace the O-ring and a good cleaning under the impeller cover. If the pump is new, you "shouldn't" have a leaky problem.

MENTAL Note: when removing all the screws and attempting to remove the cover, be VERY CAREFUL how you take it off. You MUST take it off a little at a time at all angles. I will not admit how many times I have broken the porcelain shaft........lol



Luna

 

LOL - well that answers that I guess.

I'd love to get my pumps out of the water, but not at the expense of dealing with leaks. I'll have to spend more money on pumps in the future I guess.

Thanks Reefsparky - someday I'll have a setup like yours!!

 

That's why it's always great to get many opinions. The more the better. So the consensus from those with experience in this endeavor say "no" to inline use for MagDrives. I've never had one. I've heard only good things about them, though. It seems that pumps designed for inline use are the best candidates for such utilization.

 

I havent used a mag inline in the past. The times I used inline pumps rather than submersable they were Little Giant pumps and I never had one problem with leaks or performance.

 

That's the pump I use too. Great pump. Quiet, and powerful.